International Youth Music Festival I.Registration is still open

International Youth Music Festival I.Registration is still open 2025
July 01 - 04, 2025, Bratislava

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Ensembles

Banda Kawayan Pilipinas

Philippines

Banda Kawayan Pilipinas is a unique ensemble of students and young professionals performing on handcrafted instruments made from bamboo and other indigenous materials. Originally founded in 1973 as a school-based cultural group, it was reorganized in 2014 as a non-stock, non-profit performing arts organization. The group is committed to promoting Philippine culture through music and has developed a wide-ranging repertoire that includes classical, contemporary, jazz, ballroom, folk, and pop music—all delivered with a distinct bamboo sound. Over the decades, Banda Kawayan Pilipinas has captivated audiences both in the Philippines and abroad. The ensemble has proudly represented the country in international expositions, cultural exchange programs, and tourism events across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Australia. A highlight in its history was its 1998 European concert tour during the Centennial of Philippine Independence. Banda Kawayan Pilipinas has also performed during state visits at Malacañang Palace, showcasing Filipino talent before world leaders and dignitaries. With its signature sound and dynamic choreography, the group offers a fresh yet deeply rooted take on Filipino music. Its performances reflect both innovation and tradition, bridging generations and cultures. Today, Banda Kawayan Pilipinas continues to serve as a proud ambassador of Philippine heritage on the global stage.

Mark Voltaire Lazaro and Prof. Siegfredo B. Calabig

Conductor / Leader

Professor Siegfredo Baldemor Calabig, fondly called “Ka Fred,” was born into a musical family in Paete, Laguna, a town famed for its artisanship. He learned to read music and play brass instruments at a young age, eventually joining his father’s local brass band. With a degree in Secondary Education and a passion for music, he began teaching at the Philippine College of Commerce (now PUP). Tasked with forming a school marching band but facing financial constraints, he ingeniously created a band using bamboo instruments instead. With no formal training in instrument-making, he taught himself through trial and error, leading to the birth of Banda Kawayan Pilipinas. In the 1980s, he invented the Kalagong, named after the first syllables of his surname and the gong-like sound it produces. His innovations in bamboo instrument design have inspired many and contributed to the spread of bamboo ensembles across the Philippines. A true pioneer in Philippine bamboo music, Ka Fred’s work has left a profound legacy in both education and the performing arts. Born in Manila and raised in Bacoor, Cavite, Atty. Mark Voltaire M. Lazaro grew up immersed in a vibrant musical culture, joining his school’s drum and lyre corps and playing alto sax in a local marching band. In 2006, while studying at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Laboratory High School (PUPLHS), he joined Banda Kawayan and began his training in bamboo music. He earned his degree in Tourism Management from PUP. Even after the group separated itself from the university—which mainly served as its original address—he remained actively involved, taking on leadership roles. Appointed Artistic Director in 2024, he has since led the group in pursuing international opportunities to promote Philippine music and culture. He was instrumental in registering the official Banda Kawayan Pilipinas trademarks, reinforcing its identity. He later earned his Juris Doctor from Manila Law College (Escuela de Derecho de Manila) and became a full- fledged lawyer. With combined expertise in law and the arts, he leads with both vision and purpose, driven by a passion for music, advocacy, and heritage.

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